Articles
3PL
The Evolution of Enterprise Logistics
Utilizing new technologies and sophisticated business intelligence tools, leading-edge companies are transforming their supply chains and their enterprises through data science. The journey from simple execution-based transportation management to predictive, strategic planning—powered by analytics—has accelerated with a new emphasis on supply chain engineering, LEAN consulting and Big Data solutions. While precise in process, the co-managed […]
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What is a True Integrated Logistics Services Partner and How Do You Find One?
Integrated Logistics Services is a term that has been tossed around quite a bit lately, but what is it exactly; how does the conversation begin; and what should you look for in a real 3PL or 4PL solutions provider? By definition, an Integrated Logistics Services Provider or ISP is a company that performs a variety […]
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Casting Vets Into the Private Sector
After serving Uncle Sam, former military personnel are armed with the experience and skill needed to battle supply chain challenges.
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The Mechanics of 3PL Partnerships
How do you keep a shipper-3PL relationship running smoothly? Learn the tools of the trade.
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Market Research: 3PL Perspectives 2014
Inbound Logistics’ 10th annual research report looks under the hood of the 3PL sector to see what makes the market tick.
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Readers’ Choice Top 10 3PL Excellence Awards 2014
MORE TO THE STORY: About the Survey Respondents In Their Own Words: A Sampling of Reader Comments 3PLs to Watch When a company’s supply chain operations are firing on all cylinders, product flows through the distribution center without a hitch, shipments arrive on time, and customer satisfaction abounds. Such a finely tuned machine doesn’t occur […]
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Fueling the Oil and Gas Supply Chain
New possibilities and partnerships get energy companies pumped.
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U.S.-Canada Trade: Getting a Line on Cross-Border Shipments
To efficiently move goods across the U.S.-Canada border, shippers and logistics providers must adapt to regulatory, geographic, and currency challenges.
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Does Your Website Help You Stand Out from Your Competition?
Q: Why is an effective company website important? A: Your company’s website is your image to the outside world, so it should be as attractive, relevant, and well-organized as possible. When a potential client or vendor checks you out, more than likely, they will judge you based on your website, so put your best foot […]
Read MoreNeed Warehouse Capacity? Outsourcing Gives You an In
To find the right solutions to today’s complex warehousing, real estate, and supply chain challenges, growing companies have three options: hire someone with the expertise you need; train someone on your staff; or enlist help from someone outside your company who already has the skills you need. Shippers should consider seeking that outside help from […]
Read More5 Steps to Revolutionize Your Corporate Culture
Successful business leaders understand that a company’s culture is just as important to the bottom line as tools and technology. But workplace culture involves more than a company T-shirt and zone cleanup competitions. In strong companies, it is a highly structured and repeatedly measured discipline. Company culture is a sustainable platform for long-term performance, encompassing […]
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Understanding the Auto Aftermarket Supply Chain
Q: What are some trends in the automotive aftermarket supply chain? A: One ongoing development is suppliers are increasing their ship-direct activity. They are shipping parts directly to the dealer, or they may ship to a primary distribution center or field DC, bypassing the national distribution center. This approach benefits the shipper during a surge […]
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Laying the Foundation For a Long-Term 3PL Partnership
Many companies start working with a third-party logistics (3PL) provider to fix an isolated problem at the lowest possible cost. Unfortunately, these relationships are often short-lived and serve only to fill an operational gap. But thoughtfully planned 3PL partnerships can produce invaluable results using a long-term approach that focuses on sustainable operational gains, rather than […]
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The Fundamentals of Successful Value Chain Partnerships
Q: How can value chain partners cooperate to create and share efficiencies? A: With an unprecedented global reach, access to new markets, increased regulation, and huge advances in technology, today’s supply chain environment is more complex than ever. Coupled with increasing customer demands for speed, flexibility, cost efficiency, quality, and customization, it is very difficult […]
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Keys to Developing Strong Supply Chain Partnerships
Q: How can value chain partners collaborate to enhance performance and efficiencies? A: Collaboration among supply chain partners can improve supply chain performance, create new capabilities, and increase efficiencies. Meeting to review performance objectives helps build stronger partnerships based on definable measurements and greater transparency, and encourages more effective supply chain practices. Part of this […]
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Cold Storage: Optimization by Degrees
As the food industry gets a taste of rising prices, fluctuating energy costs, and new regulations, shippers develop a growing appetite for 3PLs and refrigerated public warehouses to help drive greater efficiency inside the four walls.
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Protecting High-Value Cargo: A Sense of Security
When moving one-of-a-kind artwork, luxury items, and high-priced electronics, call in the cargo cops. That’s a 10-4.
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Heading North: Navigating Alaska’s Supply Chain
The road to success in the Last Frontier is paved with logistics demands and challenges.
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How to Profit from Outsourcing
More companies outsource the reverse logistics function than any other part of the supply chain. In fact, most Fortune 1000 retailers and consumer goods manufacturers outsource part or all of their reverse logistics processes, and experts expect this trend to continue growing globally over the next 20 years. Why do companies such as Walmart, Dell, […]
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A Strategic Approach to Strengthening Supply Chains
Q: What is a leveraged platform? A: A leveraged platform means a logistics service provider employs the same best practices to manage its own supply chain needs as it does for its client base. Benefits to shippers include mode optimization and greater usage of co-load products, as well as intermodal conversion from truckload (TL), or […]
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